"...and the two strong slaves lifted it [the Codex] from the back of the Beast.  Thereupon I commanded the Brazen Portals to be brought low and they were wrenched from their hinges and rang upon the stone.  The Efreet howled in fear and fled when I caused the page to be read, and the Beast passed into the City of Brass.  Now was I, Tzunk, Master of the Plane of Molten Skies.  With sure hand I closed Yagrax's Tome [the Codex], dreading to -"

The Codex of the Infinite Planes is one of the mightiest artifacts on Inzeladun.  It was found by the archmage Thigru Thorkisen in the City of Brass.  Apparently Tzunk, an archmage from another reality, died there or otherwise caused the Codex to be left on the Elemental Plane of Fire..  It is suspected to be in the possession currently of the lich Kherit, who ruled Khemt until recently.

The Codex is a physically massive tome that is bound in brass and worked leather.  Mystical symbols set with precious stones adorn the outside.  When opened the Codex measures 8' across and is nearly 4' tall.  It weighs 450 lbs.  The pages are scribed in exotic inks and are masterfully illuminated with gold and bright colors.  The tome contains the keys that grant the ability to travel between planes and the alternate realities of the multiverse at will.

Characters of less than 11th level who attempt to read the Codex must make a Fortitude save (DC 30) or be disintegrated, as by the spell.  Even if they save, they will be repulsed 20' and stunned for 3-12 rounds, taking 1-10 points of damage in the process.  The first time a character of 11th level or higher attempts to read the Codex, they must also save (Fortitude DC 15) or be repulsed, stunned, and damaged (although there is no risk of disintegration).  Once a character has successfully begun reading the Codex, s/he need no longer make a saving throw to continue reading on another occasion. Moreover, that character has become the new possessor of the Codex.  The previous possessor (if still alive) immediately loses all powers and side effects, although permanent effects remain.

There are 99 doomed pages in the Codex.  Each of these doomed pages has a 1% cumulative chance of bringing about a terrible fate for the character reading them.

Known powers of the Codex include the ability to open portals between this world and the Elemental Planes.  In recent history, Thigru the Archmage would open up portals to the Elemental Plane of Fire above cities and let the Plane rain down upon the city, destroying it utterly.   The shaft of stone that Itsitlawikanah sits upon came from a portal to the Elemental Plane of Earth.  He would flood cities with portals to the Elemental Plane of Water.

The Codex is also reputed to give the owner near omniscience.  Tregillish Mul, before his final death by decapitation, reported that Thigru would ask the Codex questions, and he could open the book and find the answers.  Tregillish hinted that there was a terrible cost for such knowledge, but he never said what that cost was.

Observations of both Thigru and Kherit (the most recent confirmed possessors of the tome) seem to indicate that the Codex has some profound side effects.  The possessor seems to take on an unquenchable desire to be worshiped and will eventually attack anyone who refuses to bow to him or her.  Thigru was well noted for his desire to kill every mage but himself, and Kherit is said to have been responsible for the plague that is killing the demihumans of Inzeladun.  The Codex also seems to become an obsession of the possessor, and owners seem to age quickly in physical appearance.

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